RARE SPECIES, MANY ENDEMIC TO ETHIOPIA AND
SOME FOUND ONLY WITHIN THIS NATIONAL PARK.
Four day sample itinerary |
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Highlights |
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Seasonal Weather |
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| DAY 1 :- REST & RELAXATION...WALKING OR A GENTLE STROLL | |
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| DAY 2 :- SANETTI PLATEAU - WOLVES AND RAPTORS | |
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| DAY 3 :- Dola Mena: Rift Valley, Camels, Coffee | |
 Around 40km or so to the south, the pristine Harenna forest drops into the dry, dusty rift valley. A trip south from the Lodge to the small town of Dolo Mena takes about an hour. En route one has a chance to see Giant Forest Hog and Vervet monkeys along with myriad butterflies that flitter through the shadows and sunlight. Small temporary camps may be seen, springing up where wild coffee is harvested from the forest; coffee said to amongst the best in the world. At certain times in the year, post rains, the wild coffee can be seen drying at the side of the road. Dolo Mena is a small town, where one can savour the coffee and locally collected wild honey. A camel market is frequently held along with a local market for other traders. Few tourists venture here, and so it is still unspoilt in its daily activities. Approximately 20km further on from Dola Mena are the Welman River Falls and caves - home to a hermit - which have religious significance. Those able bodied enough can crawl through the caves and pass behind the waterfall onto the river bank opposite. The rift valley also offers an opportunity to spot birds which are indigenous to the dry conditions. Guests will need their own vehicles and drivers for this trip. |
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| DAY 4 :- Other Activities | |
The lodge showcases the best of Ethiopian flora and fauna within the Bale Mountains National Park whilst providing access to other attractions further afield. Activities include guided bird watching trips, game viewing, walking and possible interaction with research and conservation teams which may be operating in and around the lodge site.
Honey Collection :- A fascinating experience witnessing the local community collecting forest honey from canopy beehives. Guests are given the chance to taste the honey – and often may purchase. Collection is normally within the vicinity of the Lodge. Payment is made directly to the local community. Horse-riding :- At the moment the local community can Birding outside the National Park :- The National Park harbours some 18 endemic bird species along with large numbers of migratory birds and passage raptors alongside the resident populations. Additionally, within three hours south is the habitat of the rare Prince Ruspoli’s Turaco and also the Libon Lark, of which very few breeding pairs are known to exist. Boulder - Climbing :- Recent guests have enjoyed climbing various boulders that are scattered over the plateau. Park permission may have to be sought and equipment is not provided. |
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Many guests arrive at Bale Mountain Lodge after long sightseeing tours of Ethiopia, and find the tranquillity of the forest setting conducive to re-energizing and relaxing in a beautiful place. Bale Mountain Lodge is set high in the mountains, on an 8 Hectare plot within the cloud forest, with views overlooking a large clearing used by animals for grazing and foraging. Recent sightings include Giant Forest Hogs, Leopards, Black Maned Lions, Bale and Vervet Monkeys, Olive Baboons and Meneliks Bushbuck.The lodge is a superb location from which to explore the forest on a walking safari in the company of a local guide. That said, guests need to be patient as the forest vegetation provides excellent cover for animals and makes a sighting more difficult.
The stream, which runs through the clearing is a wetland habitat which harbours many endemic species of frogs, newts and recently discovered crabs. There are many shorter walks in the vicinity of the Lodge, including the route of the Microhydro, something of an engineering feat in such a remote location, and which provides ‘clean’ energy to the Lodge. This walk is known to offer some of the best sightings of the shy, rare endemic Bale Monkey. For bird-lovers, the forest supports the endemic Ethiopian Cisticola, the Abyssinian Slaty Flycatcher, the Abyssinian Catbird, the Black Headed Siskin and other colourful varieties such as the Yellow Fronted Parrot and Black Winged Lovebird. A more strenuous two hour walk up Mount Gujaralle will give fantastic views over the vast expanse of the pristine Harenna Forest. All trips can be supported by our lodge guides who know the avifauna and the vegetation of the forest and who can offer you the best chance to spot rare birds and mammals. Afterwards a secluded waterfall- fed rock pool is ideal for cooling down on hot days. Following such exertions each guestroom ‘menyettabet’ has its own deck from which to watch the wildlife, or simply get away from the pressures of modern life. All of the paths and decks offer views of the clearing or meadow and forest. A wide eucalyptus wood deck encircles the main lodge and offers additional space for al fresco dining or taking tea in the afternoon.
Fishing
organize short guided treks on horseback. The lodge does not keep horses, in order to promote the conservation messages regarding the reduction of grazing animals within the National Park, but has close links to the village, where horses are an integral part of rural life. Please note that the local horses are naturally small and that the locals use traditional saddles and tackle that is suited to the horses. In order to protect the horses there is a restriction in the size of guest who is permitted to ride of approximately 80kg. Also, the lodge takes no responsibility for this activity and guests should check that their travel insurance includes horse riding if they wish to hire a horse from the village.